Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)

Professional experience plays a crucial role in a teacher’s journey by enhancing their understanding of educational theory and practice. Through hands-on opportunities, teachers can develop pedagogical strategies, collaborate with colleagues and families, and cater to the diverse learning needs of children and students.

This experience fosters both personal and professional growth, empowering teachers to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world classroom and early childhood settings with confidence. Collaboration with your supervising teacher is key to your success as a teacher education student. Together, you will design learning experiences that meet the diverse needs of children and students and follow best practices in education.

By working with your supervising teacher to observe, document, and plan, you will gain the practical experience needed to become an effective, ethical, and reflective educator who meets the Graduate Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. This hands-on experience provides the practical knowledge and skills essential for success as an early childhood and primary teacher, supporting your ongoing professional development and preparing you to positively impact the lives of children and students.

Under no circumstances should teacher education students approach schools or early childhood services requesting placements or enter into agreements regarding future placements.

Once compliance is confirmed, placement sourcing may take 6–8 weeks during school terms.

See the Professional experience timeline for more information

The following outlines the compulsory Work Integrated Learning (WIL) components.

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)

Course Code: 1426CP
This degree requires seven supervised professional experience placements to be undertaken across early childhood and primary school settings to meet external teaching accreditation requirements:

  • EPT174 - Everyday Language and Literacies: Learning and Practice (8 credit pts)
  • EPT124 – Play and Learning (8 credit points)
  • EPT140 – Professional Experience: Birth to 2 Years (8 credit points)
  • EPT334 – Analysing Learning: The Early Years (8 credit points)
  • EPT341 – Positive Classroom Climates (8 credit points)
  • EPT218 – Student Learning and Engagement (8 credit points)
  • EPT461 – Final Professional Experience: Consolidating Practice in the Primary Context (8 credit points)

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)

Course Code: 1420CP
As this degree is in teach-out, the remaining placements to be undertaken in early childhood and primary school settings for alignment with external teaching accreditation requirements are:

  • EPT340 – Professional Experience: 3–6 (8 credit points)
  • EPT341 – Positive Classroom Climates (8 credit points)
  • EPT446 – Analysing Learning: The Early Years (8 credit points)
  • EPT461 – Final Professional Experience: Consolidating Practice in the Primary Context (8 credit points)

It is important to familiarise yourself with the Student Guide to Professional Experience Placement for the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood & Primary)

Eligibility to proceed with professional experience placement is dependent upon students meeting their course requirements. These requirements are:

  • All School of Education students must be enrolled in a Charles Sturt professional experience (EPT) subject
  • All students must have obtained and uploaded their relevant state’s WWCC and expiry date to InPlace before placement is approved.
    Please note: Albury students must hold both a NSW and VIC WWCC.  Interstate students will require the applicable WWCC for the state in which they reside.
  • Student Agreement Declaration form - Once you've read and confirmed acceptance of the guidelines, print your name, sign, date, and upload the form to InPlace.

Anaphylaxis Training - Must be completed every two years. Upload a signed and dated certificate to InPlace. You're not required to demonstrate the use of an auto-injector before placement.

Appropriate professional behaviour is expected in any Professional Experience. To be fully aware of professional expectations, you should refer to the NSW Department of Education and Communities' Code of Conduct and the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics, and apply the relevant information to your placement and/or your working environment after graduation.

Child Protection Awareness training

Child Protection Awareness training requirements for all States and Territories are located in the links below. Many states and territories will require teacher education students to create logins for the Department of Education.
Please note: teacher education students seeking placements outside of NSW must complete the relevant State appropriate.

Working with Children Check

Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) final primary and secondary placements

Initial teacher education students are required to pass both components of the personal Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) as part of the accreditation requirements of this course and before commencement of the final professional experience placement. Further information about LANTITE, including registration details, can be found on the LANTITE website.

Additional requirements for NSW placements

NSW Department of Education Training - To be eligible for a professional experience placement with Charles Sturt University, all pre-service teachers must complete the following NSW DoE mandatory pre-requisite training modules: NSW Department of Education Child Protection Awareness Training (CPAT)

If you are completing a placement in NSW, you must also complete the following NSW DoE modules:

  • Aboriginal Cultural Education – Let’s Take the First Step Together
  • Anti-Racism Policy
  • Code of Ethics & Conduct

⏳ Processing Time: All mandatory requirements must be completed before submitting your InPlace application. The NSW DoE requires up to two weeks to process and confirm your training.

Refer to the NSW DoE Step-by-Step Guide for assistance.

Waiver of Appendix B of the NESA Professional Experience Policy

The New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) have provided a means for Pre-Service Teacher (PST) to complete their final professional experience as conditionally accredited teachers within a school where they are employed. This is known as the Waiver of Appendix B of the NESA Professional Experience Policy.

The following criteria needs to be met for you to submit your application

  1. The PST must have undertaken a satisfactory placement in at least one other school prior to the current school location (to meet the placement in two school’s requirement).
  2. The principal of the school supports the application in the interests of curriculum continuity especially in crucial teaching areas, geographic isolation, or casual teacher shortages.
  3. The PST is currently employed as a teacher on a contract at a school.
  4. NESA approves the placement under the Waiver B conditions

If you meet the above criteria, please complete the following Forms and Submit to FOAE-WPL@csu.edu.au

  1. Application of a waiver of Appendix B of the NESA PEX Policy
  2. Charles Sturt Application for NESA Waiver B for Professional Experience

To assist with understanding the process of this application please see the Process document.

Preparing for placement

To prepare for your placement, you must log into the InPlace placement management system to upload all the mandatory documents (evidence that all required checks and training are completed).

To ensure a smooth placement experience, please be aware that all professional experience placements have set dates that align with semester schedules, school terms, and subject requirements.

Before applying for a placement through InPlace, please:

  • Familiarise yourself with the placement dates for your enrolled session. This will help you determine your availability and choose suitable placement options.
  • Ensure you are available for the entire duration of the scheduled placement.

Check the 2025 Professional Experience Placement dates. Students must not attend placement during the annual University-wide shutdown period, even if their placement service is in operation.

IMPORTANT - To avoid conflicts of interest arising from your circumstances, you must disclose any potential conflicts of interest when applying for placement and stating your location preferences.

To request an assessment of any conflict of interest, you must formally email Workplace Learning (FOAE-WPL@csu.edu.au), providing detailed information about your circumstances. These circumstances may include challenges such as geographical isolation or limited availability of placement locations in the area.

Planning for a successful placement

  1. Ensure that you've read and understood the relevant Guides to Professional Experience Placement, the Subject Outline and texts for placement.

    Ensure all academic tasks relevant for professional experience preparation are completed.
  2. Ensure all administrative paperwork is ready to be given to the placement site.

    Prepare your professional experience folder.
  3. Please introduce yourself to the placement setting before the placement starts and become familiar with its policies, procedures and details of the placement classes.
    Confirm that the supervising teacher will be present every day.
  4. In the event of any unplanned absences, adjustments will be necessary to the placement. Please contact the Workplace Learning team for advice and assistance by emailing FOAE-WPL@csu.edu.au.
  5. Ensure you know the expected dress code and confirm the hours of work, where to go and who to contact upon arrival.

    You can order your teacher education polo tops through Charles Sturt's Charlie's Online store.

NOTE: As a teacher education student, you are required to wear identification whilst on your Professional Experience Placement and carry your University student ID card. You can either purchase a Charles Sturt name badge from the online store and carry your ID card or wear your University student ID card in a clear plastic lanyard or clear plastic name badge sleeve during school visits and placements.

Changing a confirmed placement

Requests to change a confirmed placement will only be considered in exceptional circumstances involving serious and unavoidable changes. You must promptly contact the Workplace Learning team to allow the Manager and relevant placement sites to explore alternative arrangements.

  • Course and subject information can be found in Brightspace.

InPlace

Workplace Learning at Charles Sturt uses The InPlace (Workplace Learning Placement system). You also have access to your placement information and WPL resources via InPlace.

  • InPlace login is your Charles Sturt username and password.

Charles Sturt support and services

Registration Boards or Teacher Institutes

Early Childhood

Thank you for partnering with us to support our pre-service teachers (PSTs). Your role as a supervising teacher is vital to their development, and we truly appreciate your time, expertise and commitment.

To help you prepare, we recommend reviewing Section 4 of AITSL’s Components of Effective, High-Quality Professional Experience. It offers practical guidance on effective supervision and mentoring.

Progression and reporting

Each PST follows a suggested weekly teaching schedule with minimum teaching responsibilities. You can adjust this based on their individual needs, progress and your school’s context.

You’ll need to complete:

  • Complete one lesson feedback sheet each day
  • A mid-placement review
  • A final Professional Experience Report on the last day of placement

Important tips for completing the report:

  • Signatures must be added in order: principal/director → PST → you (supervising teacher)
  • Once you sign, the report is locked and can’t be edited
  • After all signatures are added, email the report to the PST. They’ll submit it via EASTS.

Supporting students during placement

Address concerns early

If you or the University Liaison Officer (ULO) have concerns about a PST’s conduct or competency, please address them promptly.

  • Speak with the ULO to explore strategies
  • If issues continue, email the Workplace Learning Team

Teaching Competency & AITSL Standards

Use the Student Placement Support and Review Process (SPSRP) to support PSTs who are struggling to meet teaching standards.

Early intervention—before the mid-placement review—is key.

Helpful documents:

Insurance coverage

All students are covered by university insurance during approved placements.

  • Download the Insurance Letter

Reporting incidents

  • Report any accidents within 48 hours to FOAE-WPL@csu.edu.au
  • Car accidents to/from placement: claim via Third-Party Insurance
  • PSTs accepting payment for transport may void their insurance
  • Overseas placements are not covered

Need help

If you have questions or need support during the placement, please contact the Workplace Learning team.